As December arrives, the town is filled with a Christmas mood.
In Kurashiki City, Christmas decorations can be seen here and there.
It is a major event that many people look forward to, but decorations and plans are only made at the household or shop level.
Surprisingly, there haven't been many opportunities for everyone to enjoy Christmas together.
This year (2023), an event where shops and people gather will be held for the first time in Kurashiki.
It is a two-day limited market called Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
The initiator is Namiko Ichikawa, a cabin attendant who has been seconded from an airline to the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau (hereafter, Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau).
We asked Ms. Ichikawa about the content and thoughts behind this first event for Kurashiki.
What is Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023
The first Christmas market in Kurashiki, Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
A Christmas market is a traditional festival that originated in Germany and Austria, continuing since the Middle Ages in Europe.
Traditional sweets, hot wine, and miscellaneous goods are sold at stalls, and the venue is decorated with illuminations.
In Japan, it seems to have become popular in urban areas like Yokohama and Tokyo.
Event Overview
Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 will gather shops from Kurashiki and Okayama that have a commitment to quality.
Restaurants, flower shops, and miscellaneous goods will be available.
Workshops will also be held.
| Basic Information on Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | December 15 (Friday) and 16 (Saturday), 2023, held rain or shine |
| Event Hours | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Venue | Kurashiki Ivy Square (Courtyard Square, Ivy Gakukan) |
| Admission | Free |
The event will be held from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy the night scenery of Kurashiki.
In the courtyard square of Kurashiki Ivy Square, restaurants are expected to line up.
In Europe, stalls are set up in squares, so this can truly be called Kurashiki's version of a Christmas market.
In Ivy Gakukan, shops that can hold workshops and sell miscellaneous goods will gather.
Food booths will also be set up inside Ivy Gakukan, so it seems nice to buy a lot of food and enjoy a leisurely meal.
Participating Shops
Here are the participating shops.
| Shop Name | Participating on 15th (Fri) | Participating on 16th (Sat) |
|---|---|---|
| ICHI | ○ | ○ |
| Fujiwara Minorudo | ○ | ○ |
| Udon and Sake Fujishin | ○ | ○ |
| Gratefuls | ○ | ○ |
| Coq au pain | ○ | |
| Moon grace | ○ | ○ |
| Rural Capri Farm | ○ | ○ |
| Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee | ○ | ○ |
| Kurashiki Ivy Square Pub Red Brick | ○ | ○ |
| Travel Medicine Box | ○ | ○ |
| Table Note | ○ | ○ |
| Cafe Haruta | ○ | |
| FLAGO | ○ | ○ |
| Pesce Luna | ○ | ○ |
| Itokichi | ○ | ○ |
| TRATTORIA noi | ○ | |
| Chuka Soba Kouta | ○ | |
| belk bakes | ○ | ○ |
| NGL | ○ | |
| pile | ○ | ○ |
| Curry and Coffee Shop 774 | ○ | ○ |
| GRAPE SHIP | ○ | ○ |
| Rulu | ○ | ○ |
| Seribe | ○ | ○ |
| coffee&more Scarecrow | ○ | ○ |
| Garden of Soil and Wind | ○ | ○ |
| TONERICO | ○ | ○ |
| Kurashiki Canvas | ○ | ○ |
| MARUGO Tabi no Kura | ○ | |
| Kurashiki Girls Collection | ○ | ○ |
| hori hori | ○ | ○ |
| Fortune Teller slan | ○ | ○ |
The Kurashiki Christmas Market Executive Committee, composed of multiple companies, is organized by the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau.
Shops from Kurashiki and Okayama will participate.
Some of them are shops that do not often participate in markets, so be sure to check them out.
For Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023, Christmas-themed food and services will be provided.
For example, from "NGL (a joint shop of LITTLE LIGHTS and GJG ESPRESSO STORE)", traditional Christmas cakes such as stollen and sets of apple pie and coffee will be sold.
"Coq au pain" will sell the classic Christmas menu of roast chicken.
Hot wine will be provided by "GRAPE SHIP" and "Moon grace".
There will also be a hashtag campaign
The official Instagram of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 is holding a hashtag campaign.
Details on how to participate are as follows.
- Follow the Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 account @kurashiki_xmas
- Post photos of the event on Instagram with the hashtag "#Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023"
- In a lottery, you can win discount coupons or products usable at participating shops
The campaign period is from December 15 (Friday) to 25 (Monday), 2023. Be sure to take lots of photos and post them.
Unique Venue and Decorations of Kurashiki
The venue is the Kurashiki Ivy Square, which is impressive with its bricks and ivy.
Originally, it was the headquarters factory of KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD. (formerly Kurashiki Spinning Company), which was transformed into a complex facility by architect Shizutaro Urabe in 1974.
The building is made of bricks, replicating British factory design.
The ivy that climbs the brick walls was planted for temperature regulation. In summer, the leaves flourish, softening direct sunlight from the skylights and helping to lower the indoor temperature.
The site features Western-style buildings and fountains, making it feel like Europe.
Next to the Western-style building and fountain stands a giant Metasequoia tree.
It is said to have been planted from a seedling in 1957.
By focusing on the atmosphere and buildings of Kurashiki Ivy Square, you may enjoy the event even more.
The first Christmas market in Kurashiki, Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
We spoke with Ms. Namiko Ichikawa, the organizer, and Mr. Michinobu Maeoka from the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau, who is in charge of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
Data for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023
| Name | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 |
|---|---|
| Date | December 15 (Friday) and 16 (Saturday), 2023 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 |
